The Knights Templars’ were officially recognized in 1129. They were an order of warrior monks who took vows of poverty and chastity, answering only to the Pope. The Templars positioned their headquarters on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem – one of the most sacred pieces of land in history.

Soon, the Templars’ power extended beyond the Holy Land to a part of Western Europe. Aristocrats around the world donated land and money to the Templars. And as a result, they quickly developed tax-free holdings across France, England, Hungary, Spain and Portugal. They grew to a strong network with a pyramid power structure, even pioneering the banking system. In essence, the Templars were the world’s first multi-national corporation.

In 1177, a new era of diplomacy in Christian and Muslim relationships emerged. Two iconic leaders – Saladin, a unifier of the Muslim world, and Baldwin IV, Jerusalem army commander – negotiate a ceasefire. But… there’s a catch. The ancient river crossing at Jacob’s Ford must not be fortified. It would be neutral territory, for use by traders and travelers alike.But the Templars, now greedy from wealth and influence, lean on Baldwin to help them build a massive castle at Jacob’s Ford. Even though it’d break the delicate truce agreement, the elite fighting force make their case to push the Christian Empire eastward – closer to Damascus.

How did Baldwin respond to the Templars – and what did Saladin do about it?

Uncover 800-year old clues of a bloody massacre and rediscover history on the Last Stand of the Templars, Monday, April 4th, at 10 PM et/pt. Can’t wait until tonight? Check out this sneak preview: